Manning, Colts snap skid

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Peyton Manning threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and the Indianapolis Colts snapped their three-game skid by beating the Tennessee Titans 30-28 on Thursday night to stay just a half-game back in the AFC South.

Manning broke out of the worst slump of his career with a crisp performance against a defense that now hasn’t intercepted a pass in 14 straight quarters.

The Colts (7-6) haven’t lost four straight since 2001 when their five-game slide prompted Jim Mora’s famous rant about the playoffs

Tennessee (5-8) now has lost six straight and dropped 21/2 games behind Jacksonville (7-5) in the AFC South with three to play. The Titans can blame themselves for mistakes that led to each of the Colts’ first three touchdowns.

Manning hit Pierre Garcon on scoring passes of 1 and 19 yards in the second quarter, becoming the first quarterback to pass for 25 touchdowns in 13 straight seasons — extending his own record.

Manning almost had a third TD pass in the third but receiver Blair White dove for a pass in the end zone, only to knock a certain touchdown out of Reggie Wayne’s hands.

Wayne jumped to his feet and motioned to the middle of the field where White’s pattern was supposed to lead him, then smiled at the rookie. The Colts settled for a 21-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal that made it 24-14.

Tennessee showed some fight in the third quarter after trailing by two touchdowns at halftime. Chris Johnson ripped off a 20-yard run to get the Titans into Indianapolis territory on the opening drive of the third. Collins hit Kenny Britt with an 18-yard pass to move to the 8, then found Craig Stephens for a 7-yard score two plays later.

Manning and the Colts got plenty of help from the Titans, who continued their season-long trend of costly mistakes and penalties.

Indianapolis’ first two touchdowns were set up by third-down penalties deep in Tennessee territory. The first, a pass interference call on safety Michael Griffin in the end zone, set up Javarris James’ 1-yard dive late in the first quarter. The second, defensive holding by Chris Hope, was a key play before Manning’s record-setting 1-yard pass to Garcon gave the Colts a 14-0 lead.